Been reading up a little bit on DSC which seems a very good system. I was thinking, now that this is built into high end handheld VHF radios (with GPS as well) what's the point of an expensive fixed unit at the nav station?
You'd get more range I'm guessing, but is that the only real difference? What kind of range differences would you be looking at?

Also... Can a handheld vhf with dsc and gps (wow that's a mouthful) be used for Man Overboard?

If a person is carrying one of these unit's and falls off could they send a MOBdistress call to another handheld on board? Along with GPS position, etc?
You could then throw that into the chart plotter and get back to them pretty darn easy I would have thought?

The person could use a "red" button to issue a digital MAYDAY call which would have their position. Your onboard DSC radio, and everybody else's in the vicinity, would receive the call and their positions. They could also place a digital station to station call to your onboard DCS radio.

Both radios have to be fitted with MMSI number for DSC to work. I am not sure if you can use the same MMSI number for two or more radios on one boat, or have to have the unique MMSI number on every radio. Anybody knows?

Been reading up a little bit on DSC which seems a very good system. I was thinking, now that this is built into high end handheld VHF radios (with GPS as well) what's the point of an expensive fixed unit at the nav station?
You'd get more range I'm guessing, but is that the only real difference? What kind of range differences would you be looking at?

Also... Can a handheld vhf with dsc and gps (wow that's a mouthful) be used for Man Overboard?

If a person is carrying one of these unit's and falls off could they send a MOBdistress call to another handheld on board? Along with GPS position, etc?
You could then throw that into the chart plotter and get back to them pretty darn easy I would have thought?

Regards,
Simon

If you want to have a reasonable quality conversation with other boats that are more than a mile away, you need a fixed radio. The handheld really only works within a mile or two. I'm not saying that is the distress calling range, as the Coastguard will pick you up on their sensitive antennas from a lot further. The problem is being able to hear what they are saying to you.

Been reading up a little bit on DSC which seems a very good system. I was thinking, now that this is built into high end handheld VHF radios (with GPS as well) what's the point of an expensive fixed unit at the nav station?
You'd get more range I'm guessing, but is that the only real difference? What kind of range differences would you be looking at?

Also... Can a handheld vhf with dsc and gps (wow that's a mouthful) be used for Man Overboard?

If a person is carrying one of these unit's and falls off could they send a MOB distress call to another handheld on board? Along with GPS position, etc?
You could then throw that into the chart plotter and get back to them pretty darn easy I would have thought?

Regards,
Simon

The MMSI number for a H/H VHF is a totaly different MMSI number than the one on the Ships VHF radio.

The person could use a "red" button to issue a digital MAYDAY call which would have their position. Your onboard DSC radio, and everybody else's in the vicinity, would receive the call and their positions. They could also place a digital station to station call to your onboard DCS radio.

Both radios have to be fitted with MMSI number for DSC to work. I am not sure if you can use the same MMSI number for two or more radios on one boat, or have to have the unique MMSI number on every radio. Anybody knows?

The MMSI is unique to the vessel you may use the same number in several radios.

Quote:

FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: LicensingRadios with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Capability
If you have a marine radio with DSC capability, you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit. Each vessel needs only one MMSI number. Prior to obtaining an MMSI number, you will be asked to provide certain information about your ship. It is important that you obtain an MMSI number because the U.S. Coast Guard uses this information to help speed search and rescue operations.

Was pondering much the same thing - Obviously range is the big difference, but I would presume a handheld could get "plugged" into an aerial onboard if needed or simply as the default when on standby (and on charge?).

I don't know the entire market, but in Horizon brand, the HH with DSC/GPS is the HX851, Runs about $230. The fixed with same is the GX1700, at $207. So if you're buying new and cost is the issue...well there's no issue :-) (those are Defeneder's prices fyi)

But I keep both, as I often want the HH on the dinghy, kayak, OPB, etc

I keep one handheld for my crew ,and one for me. But I still would not dream of not having a big one.. Mybe a H/H with external antenna is good enough for daysailing at the coast but beyond that the stationary VHF rules!

Cost?? come on! I need a lot of things on my boat, like a new motor , and new sails. Still I bought 3 VHF's before new sails.
Could get 30 more for the same price as new sails and a used motor.